Originally Posted by
milepig
I'm not sure I'll renew. It was great at first, but bit by bit they're downgrading the experience. They have people standing right there so they should be able to see if I somehow switch passports. I don't see why they need to open my passport and check the picture against the one on the receipt when I've just scanned my passport AND my fingerprints to match what they have on file. If they think the 2 don't match you get the X. At first there was no check, then a quick look at the picture, yesterday passing through ORD I got the random questions as in "what was the nature of your trip." Um, excuse me, I've had the background check and I'm a trusted traveler. You fingerprinted me, and unless I stole someone's fingers, what I just scanned 2 seconds ago MATCHED the files. I did this so I could avoid just these questions. Now, with the other kiosks, I just don't know what I should do.
I hear you, but @$20/year it is pretty cheap insurance to ensure that you will never wait in a 1-hour line when your plane arrives just after two 747s.
The UA/AA/DL facility @LAX has got to be the absolute worst location. Only 3 kiosks and a line of seasoned travelers which almost took more time than waiting for a human. I don't mind having to flash my card at the poor CBP agent who handles the crew line, but I was annoyed with the second agent at the customs exit line who decided to interrogate me about my short trip to the UK (as opposed to Russia, Romania, Nigeria, Thailand or any of the other "higher risk" locations that have never drawn so much as a glance). I understand the need for random checks but no need to prolong the obvious. It was tempting to tell him that he should feel free to go thru my dirty laundry to his heart's content but I bit my tongue.
Having mostly excellent experiences @ SFO, DEN, IAH, IAD I will now avoid be avoiding inbound connections @LAX.